Dallas Cowboys take a step toward ‘normalcy’ at first practice since teammate’s death

FRISCO — The Cowboys attempted to get back to business on Thursday, in preparing for their Monday night game at Las Vegas.

With loud music playing and the additions of safety Malik Hooker and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey’s 21-day return to practice windows opening, things appeared to be normal.

This was the Cowboys’ first practice since the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland late last week.

Coach Brian Schottenheimer said the energy heading into practice was good.

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“I think most of us, I know myself, I’m excited to get back out there and do what I love to do with the people that I love doing it with,” Schottenheimer said. “I think the players feel that way. We had good energy this morning in the meetings. The meetings were very productive and like I said yesterday, we’re ready to get this week underway and put our best foot forward and get ready to honor Marshawn.”

The Cowboys are still in the process of doing that from helmet decals, specially made t-shirts and helping Kneeland’s pregnant girlfriend, Catalina, with a foundation set up through the family.

But there’s a game to be played against the Raiders and practicing on Thursday was the first step.

“Helpful for me personally,” defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa said. “I feel like, one, I’m kind of a busy body, so being able to move around helps get some sort of normalcy back. Like I said, continue the mission and playing with a purpose for honoring Marshawn and playing the way he did and bringing that same love, passion and effort to the game.”

Starting defensive tackle Solomon Thomas didn’t practice with a calf injury. However, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Shavon Revel, recovering from knee injuries, were full participants in practice.

The Cowboys are drawing a delicate balance of not trying to mute the return of Overshown and Revel, who have yet to play this season, as they deal with the tragic passing of Kneeland.

“I just want him to play free,” Schottenheimer said of Overshown and whether he’ll get a healthy load of snaps. “I really do. I can’t answer that question. I don’t want to put too much pressure on D-Mo. He hasn’t played in a long time, but he hasn’t forgotten how to play either. But I will know this — he will be running to the football. He will be making plays. But we’re going to be smart. Is it fair to say he’s going to play the entire game? Maybe. We’ll see. But there is kind of a ramp-up, pitch count that we have to see how he’s feeling. But he can’t wait. He’s really excited along with the other guys.”

While the Cowboys will not practice in full pads this week, Thursday’s session took on its normal schedule with first and second down plays being implemented from the game plan. There were individual drills and during stretching exercises, the coaches, which included Schottenheimer, did their custom handshakes with players.

“It was great. Schotty alluded to that. He said it earlier it in the week: some guys are going to get out on the field, and it’s going to hurt,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “Some guys are going to get out there, and it’s going to be the best medicine for them. Having dealt with loss, that is the best medicine for me. So getting back out there, handing the ball off and sprinting an extra 10 yards and making sure I’m doing it hard, Marshawn went through my mind a few times at practice today. I just countered that with running harder after a play, or trying to do something to better this team to show that. It felt good. I know it was a great practice. A lot of guys were out there, good energy, beautiful weather. As I said, we’re not forgetting, but we’re moving forward carrying on the light.”

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